Car-coupling



(Nd Model.)

F. A. JOHNSON.

GAR COUPLING.

Patented Peb.;24, 1891.

. A TTOH NE rs UNITED STATES PATENT -FFICE.

FRANCIS A. JOHNSON, OF POIVIIATAN, ARKANSAS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 447,154, dated February 24, 1891.

" Application filed June 20,1890. Serial No. 356,073- (No model.)

ive in coupling, and adapted to couple cars of varying heights and without requiringthe operator to step between the cars.

The invention consists in certain parts and details and combinations of the same, as will a be described hereinafter, and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement as applied. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the same with parts of the car in section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same on the line 3 30f Fig. 2, and Fig. et is a similar view of the same on the line 4. 4 of Fig. 2.

The draw-head A, held on one end of the car 13, is provided with the usual central opening 0, in which is adapted to pass the arrowhead D of the coupling-link D, as is plainly shown in Fig. 1. The arrow-head D of the ooupling-linkis adapted to open and to engage transversely-extending plates E and E, fitted to slide in suitable bearings formed in the draw-head A near its outer end.

The two plates E and E are connected with each other at the top and bottom by springs F, passing through suitable openings 0, arranged transversely in the draw-head above and below the central opening 0. hen the plates E and E are in a closed position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, their inner edges nearly touch each other, so that the arrowhead D when entering the opening 0, passes between the two plates E and Eand presses the same outward against the tension of the springs F, and when the arrow-head has passed in to the rear of the said plates the latter again close by the action of the springs F, so that the coupling-link D is held in place in the draw-head, the inner ends of the plates E and E resting on the shank of the arrowhead.

In order to open the plates E and E, so as to permit the coupling-link D to be withdrawn, the following device is provided: On each of the plates E and E are secured two or more friction-rollers G, arranged longitudinally and adapted to be engaged by inclines II, formed on two bars I and I respectively connected with each other at their upper ends across the top of the draw-head A by a rod J. The bars I and I are fitted to slide in a bearing formed on oneside by the plates E or E, respectively, and at the other side by a strip K, secured toeach side of the draw-head. (See Fig. 2.)

The connecting-rod J is pivotally connected with one end of a bell-cranklever L, fulcrumed at the end of the car and pivotally connected by its other arm with a crank-arm N, fastened on a transversely-extending shaft 0, mounted to turn in suitable bearings on the end of the car B. Each outer end of the shaft 0 is provided with a handle P, which permits the operator to turn the said shaft 0 from either side of the car, so that the bellcrank lever L is caused to lift the rod J upward,'so as to slide the bars I and I vertically. This vertical movement of the bars I and I causes the inclines H to engage the friction-rollers G, which are pressed outward and cause'an outward sliding of the platesE and E. The coupling-link D can then be withdrawn from. the open plates E and E. As soon as the operator releases the handle P the springs F return the plates E and E to the normal closed position. The inclines II of the bars I and I terminate in the straight vertical edges H, so that in case the vertical movement of the bars is continued the friction-rollers G travel onto the said straight edges II, whereby the plates E and E are locked in an outermost position. To unlock, the shaft 0 is turned in an opposite direction to slide the bars I and I downward. This is frequently necessary when it is not desired to couple cars and in case the latter are shifted about on the tracks.

In order to open the plates E and E from the top of the car, the shaft 0 is provided with the said opening.

the crank-arm Q, connected by a rod R with a bell-crank lever S, fulcruined on the top of the car, and which when turned acts on the shaft 0 in the same manner as when the arms P are manipulated, as previously described.

When the plates E and E are in their norlnal position and it is desired to couple the cars, the coupling-link D, when moving with its head D in the central opening 0 of the draw-head A, presses the two plates E and E apart, as previously described, so that the arrow-head is locked in place in the draw-head. The two cars are then coupled.

\Vhen it is desired to uncouple the cars, the operator simply turns either of the handles I or the lever Son top of the car, so that the plates E and E are opened and the link I) is withdrawn on moving the two cars apart.

The opening 0 in the draw-head is made of considerable height and the plates E and E are similar, so as to fill the entire height of Thus when two cars of differen theights are coupled together the link D can readily pass into the opposite drawhead and engage the plates E and E, as above described.

llaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is

1. The co1nbination,with the draw-head and the transversely-sliding spring-pressed plates in the sides thereof, of parallel vertically-reeiprocatingbars having-inclines to engage the said plates and throw them outward, substantially as setforth. I

2. The co1nbinatio11,withthe draw-head and the transversely-sliding spring-pressed plates in the sides thereof, of vertically-reciprocating bars at the outer sides of the draw-head connected at their upper ends and provided with inclines on their outer edges to throw the said plates apart, and a vertically-rocking lever connected with the upper ends of the said bars, substantially as set forth.

3. In a car-coupler, the combination, with a draw-head, of plates arranged vertically and adapted to slide transversely in the draw-head to meet near the center of the central open ing, and springs connecting the said plates with each other to hold the same in a closed position, substantiallyas shown and described.

at. In acar-coupler, the combination, with a draw-head, of plates arranged vertically and adapted to slide transversely in the draw-head to meet near the center of the central opening, springs connecting the said plates with each other to hold the same in a closed position, and means, substantially as described, for moving the said plates apart, as set forth.

5. In a car-coupler, the combination, with the draw-head, of plates arranged vertically and adapted to slide transversely in the said draw-head and toward and from each other, springs connecting the said plates with each other, friction-rollers held on the outer ends of the said plates, bars fitted to slide on the sides of the draw-head and provided with inclines adapted to engage the said frictionrollers, and means, substantially as described, for raising or lowering the said bars to open the said plates, substantially as shown and described.

FRANCIS A. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

F. H. WAYLAND, JUDSON Moons. 

